4

Amelia’s POV

I was still standing at the side of the room when Tomi Rinov’s voice rang clearly in my ears. His tone was deep and commanding, enough to draw everyone’s attention at once.

“It’s only natural that you don’t know him,” he said. “Even I have never met him before. But he is Kevin’s older cousin. He is the first grandson of the Aprilio family, from the family’s eldest son. He is the one who holds the true power of the Aprilios.”

I froze. His words echoed in my head. Kevin’s older cousin? The first grandson of the Aprilios? The one who holds the real power? Everyone around me looked shocked, but I forced my face to remain expressionless.

Lidya, who was standing not far away, quickly added, “Doesn’t that mean he would make a better match for Raisa than Kevin?”

I turned toward Lidya, frowning slightly. Her words were so blunt. Deep inside, I muttered bitterly, Always Raisa… everything has to be about her.

I knew Lidya’s way of thinking all too well. To her, whoever held more power was always better. And since Xavier Aprilio was the Aprilio family’s eldest grandson, it was clear that he would wield the full authority one day. In Lidya’s eyes, that meant Raisa deserved someone even greater than Kevin.

I could see Tomi Rinov’s gaze sharpen on Lidya, his eyes cold with restrained anger. “What nonsense are you speaking?! Young Master Xavier already has a partner. He’s been engaged for a long time, and today he just got married.”

I went rigid. Those last words hit me like a strike to the chest. Today… just got married?

My eyes narrowed involuntarily, my heart pounding with a strange, suffocating premonition.

Could it be…?

I shook my head quickly, chasing away the insane thought. No. Impossible. My husband’s name is Xavier Lewis, not Xavier Aprilio. It’s only a coincidence they share the same first name. I forced myself to believe that, even as unease gnawed at my chest.

Lidya’s disappointment was obvious. “Who is his wife? She must be so lucky… even luckier than Raisa.”

I sharpened my hearing, staring at Tomi Rinov, waiting breathlessly for his answer.

“I don’t know,” Tomi finally said. “I only heard that Young Master Xavier has long been engaged through his grandfather’s arrangement. And today, he married in a simple ceremony, only to put his grandfather at ease. For people like them, that’s normal. They’ll marry quietly first, then hold the grand reception later.”

The hairs on my neck prickled. His words were far too close to the truth of what had just happened to me today. I, too, had just gone through a simple, quiet marriage. No banquet, no celebration. Was this really just a coincidence?

I tried to steady my breathing, but the dread only tightened in my chest.

Tomi Rinov’s brows furrowed slightly as he continued. “I also don’t know why he suddenly agreed to attend this banquet. Even though this is only his younger cousin’s engagement, his relationship with the Aprilio family hasn’t been good. He’s never once appeared at any of the family’s grand occasions.”

Murmurs rippled among the guests. It was true—the Rinovs were only a middle-class family. If not for Raisa’s engagement to Kevin Aprilio, this event would never have been acknowledged by such distinguished people. And now, the appearance of Xavier Aprilio was seen as nothing short of a miracle.

“Why would he suddenly come to this banquet?” Lidya looked thoughtful, then her face lit up with excitement. “It must be because Raisa is so extraordinary that she caught Young Master Xavier’s attention! Raisa, you’re truly a princess! In that case, the diamond necklace you’re wearing isn’t dazzling enough for such an honored guest. Let’s find you something far more luxurious!”

I watched as Lidya hastily slipped my marriage certificate into my handbag without checking it, then rushed off with Raisa to choose more extravagant jewelry. My fists tightened, but I held back.

It didn’t surprise me anymore. Ever since childhood, this scene was nothing new. Lidya always prioritized Raisa—more than anyone else, even herself. And me? I could only smile bitterly as I watched.

“Sir, the Aprilio family has arrived!” a servant’s voice suddenly rang out.

I saw Tomi Rinov nod and stride away. As he passed me, he paused, his gaze heavy with meaning. “You haven’t returned to this house in a long time. Stay a while for Raisa’s engagement celebration, then you may leave again.”

I simply nodded. Not because of his words, but because my heart was restless, full of curiosity about Xavier Aprilio.

Inside, I watched Lidya fuss over Raisa, her face glowing with happiness, her pride obvious. In her eyes, I could already glimpse the ambition burning—an ambition that one day she might dethrone Madam Mira herself and become the lady of the house.

I took a deep breath. This world was filled with smiles hiding sharp fangs beneath.

I stood at the end of the staircase, patiently watching the entrance, waiting for the Aprilio family to arrive.

From across the hall, I saw Madam Mira slowly descending with the help of a servant. The simple brown dress hung on her thin frame, her steps unsteady.

“Madam, you’re unwell,” the servant whispered gently. “It’s all right if you don’t come down. Your health is far more important.”

But Madam Mira shook her head firmly, her voice weak yet determined. “No. I must be there. I cannot miss Raisa’s important day.”

I stared at her for a long moment. A rush of admiration filled me. Strange, really. By all accounts, shouldn’t she have been the one to resent me the most? And yet, she was always the kindest to me.

Memories flooded back. My own mother often forgot to feed me. I grew up frail, sometimes surviving on leftovers from the servants. If not for Madam Mira, I might have died from malnutrition. She often gave me delicious meals, fresh fruit, even stroked my hair with tender hands, whispering comfort.

My throat burned as I heard her cough softly. I wanted to approach her, but my steps halted when the room suddenly buzzed with commotion.

The Aprilio family had finally arrived.

I saw Madam Mira straighten herself despite her pain, moving to stand beside Tomi Rinov to greet them.

After the polite formalities, the distinguished Aprilio family entered the hall. I immediately searched among them, my heart pounding wildly.

Then I heard my father’s respectful voice: “Young Master Xavier, please, your seat is over there.”

My head whipped around.

And I saw him.

A man in a sharp black suit, walking with absolute confidence, as if the very air bent around him. His face was striking, his features defined, his aura dominating the entire room.

And then… he turned.

Our eyes met. His gaze was sharp, penetrating, as though he could see straight into my soul.

My breath caught. My chest tightened.

That man looked far too much like the man I had just married today.